Core handling system

ABSTRACT

A mechanism for locating and positioning cylindrical cores on a mandrel includes three spaced threaded rods driven in the same direction and having substantially identical threads. A chute is positioned above the space defined between the threaded rods, with the cores passing from the chute to a position in which the cores are supported on the threads. The threaded rods, during rotation, carry the cores in spaced relation onto a mandrel which is positioned between the threaded rods. The cores are located and positioned in a precise spaced relationship on the mandrel by the rotating threaded rods.

D United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,772,756

Vokes et al. [4 New. 2d, 1973 CORE HANDLING SYSTEM 1,166,537 1/1916 Neal133 3 H Inventors: Robert G- vokes, Wilmette; William 2,031,894 2/1936Krakauer 214/338 A. Saarlma, Park Rldge, both of Ill. Primary Examinersamuel F- Coleman [73] Assignee: Concep Machine Co., Inc., Skokie,Assistant Examiner-Norman L. Stack, Jr.

Ill. Attorney-Howard T. Markey et al.

'1 [22] F1 ed Feb 23, 1972 ABSTRACT [21] Appl 228557 A mechanism forlocating and positioning cylindrical I cores on a mandrel includes threespaced threaded [52] [1.8. CI 29/211 R rods v n in h m irec ion anhaving substan- [51] Int. Cl M31; 7/02 tially identical threads- A chutei p ned above 58 Field of Search 214/338, 339; the pace defined betweenthe threaded rods, with the 198/213; 133/3 1-]; 221/75; 29/211 R corespassing from the chute to a position in which the 203 MM, 29/208, 240,244 cores are supported on the threads. The threaded rods, duringrotation, carry the cores in spaced rela- [56] References Cited tiononto a mandrel which is positioned between the UNTED STATES PATENTSthreaded rods. The cores are located and positioned in 1 a precisespaced relationship on the mandrel by the 2,515,404 7/1950 Grosvenor214/338 X 3,047,712 7/1962 Morris 214/338 mtatmg threaded I asii i nnasses 10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures CORE HANDLING SYSTEM SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to a system for automaticallylocating and positioning cylindrical objects on a mandrel.

A primary purpose of the invention is a core handling system in whichthe cores are spaced on a mandrel by the use of a plurality of threadedrods.

Another purpose is a core handling system of the type described in whichthe spacing between cores is equal to the width of the core.

Another purpose is a core handling system, simple in construction andreliably operable.

Another purpose is a system for positioning and locating cylindricalobjects on a mandrel which may be an air-expanded mandrel.

Another purpose is a core handling system which may be used either toposition cylindrical cores on a mandrel or to remove cylindrical coresfrom the mandrel.

Other purposes will appear in the ensuing specification, drawings andclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrateddiagrammatically in the following drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective of a core handling system of the type described,

FIG. 2 is an end view of the threaded rods and mandrel, and

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of the drive for the threadedrods.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PEFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention hasapplication in positioning cylindrical objects such as the paper coresupon which tape is wound. The invention obviously has substantiallywider use. The mechanism shown and described has application inpositioning and locating any type of cylindrical object'on a mandrel.Preferably the objects are identical or at least have the same insideand outside diameter. The invention will be described in connection witha system for loading cores onto a cylindri cal mandrel. It should beunderstood that merely be reversing the direction of rotation of thethreaded rods, a fully loaded mandrel may be positioned between the rodsand the cores removed.

In the past, it was necessary for an operator to manually load the coreson a mandrel or the like. The present invention provides automatic coreloading which provides substantially greater productivity from theslitter winder tape winding machine. It should be understood that insome applications, the core need not be cylindrical, but may take onother cross sections, for example square.

In FIG. I, threaded rods are indicated at l0, l2 and 14. The rods aresubstantially identical, as are the threads on the rods. The left-handends of rods 10, 12 and 14 are journaled in a support 16 which permitsthe rods to freely rotate. The rods l0, l2 and 14 may be driven in anysuitable manner, for example each may have a gear 18, 20 and 22,respectively, fixed on their right-hand ends. An idler gear is indicatedat 24 and a suitable chain or the like 26 may pass around each of gears18, 20 and 22, as well as the idler gear 24, so that the rods are drivenin the direction of arrows 28 at the same speed.

Positioned above one end of the threaded rods is a source of paper coresindicated at 30, which has a bottom discharge opening 32 through which acore 34 has just passed. Note that each of the cores, as it passes fromthe discharge opening of the chute, falls down to the space between thethreaded rods. The axes of the rods together form the three corners of atriangle. Rods l0 and 12 are generally parallel to each other and spacedapart, with rod 14 being positioned midway between the other two rodsand beneath them. In effect, they are parallel and radially spaced, onefrom another.

A mandrel 36 is positioned in the space defined by the three rods. NoteFIG. 2. With each of the threaded rods moving in the direction of arrows28 in FIG. 2, the mandrel 36 will move in the direction of arrow 38. Themandrel is supported on the outer diameter of bottom threaded rod 14 andis closely adjacent to threaded rods 10 and 12. In effect, the mandrelfills the space defined by the three rods. The mandrel may take on avariety of shapes, although a cylindrical mandrel is preferred. Themandrel may be of the air-expanded type which permits positioning andexpansion without jamming against the threads.

The threads on rods l0, l2 and 14 have a lead which is equal to twicethe width of the core 34. Thus, when the cores are positioned on themandrel, they will be spaced apart a distance equal to the width of thecore. Such an arrangement is particularly satisfactory in the winding ofrolls of tape as the mandrels may be placed adjacent each other, but ina staggered relation, so that tape will be simultaneously wound on allof the cores. The root of each of the threads has an axial width equalto the width of a core so that the core may lay completely down in thethread as each of the cores is carried by the threads onto the mandrel.The crest of the threads, however, may have a slightly greater width tofacilitate the passing of the cores onto the mandrel and to facilitatethe positioning of the cores in the space defined between the threadedrods.

In operation, the three rods will rotate in the direction shown. Thecores will pass from the chute to the space defined between the rods andat a location in register with the first thread of each of the rods. Inthis connection, the entry end of the threads may have an increased rootdiameter and increased groove width to facilitate entry of the coresinto position between the rods. The cores will nest in the space betweenthe rods and will be axially moved by the threads onto the mandrel. Thethread on bottom rod 14 may be slightly deeper than the threads on theother rods to assure ample clearance for the cores to move freely ontothe mandrel. The size of the mandrel is consistent with the insidediameter of the cores and the cores will be moved down the mandrel asthey are carried by the threads on the rods. Successive cores willfollow the first and as soon as the mandrel has a complete load ofcores, it will be removed from position between the rods. A new mandrelmay be positioned, either automatically or manually, in a timedrelationship such that the flow of cores may be continuous. A fullyloaded mandrel may be removed in a vertical direction directly out ofcontact with the rods or it may be dropped either to the left or rightby moving the bottom rod away from the mandrel. In some applications itmay be necessary to have a momentary lull in the discharge of cores toallow for a replacement of the mandrel. In any event, the cores will bemoved down the mandrel by the threads with the spacing between coresbeing equal to the width of the core. In some operations the spacing maybe varied, and the spacing described above is typical for use in a tapewinding operation.

Within the scope of the invention is to use the mechanism shown as ameans for removing cores from the mandrel. For example, a fully loadedmandrel may be placed in position as shown in FIG. 1, with the rodsbeing driven in the opposite direction. This action would result in thecores being removed from the mandrel, rather than being loaded onto it.

Whereas the preferred form of the invention has been shown and describedherein, it should be realized that there may be many modifications,substitutions and alterations thereto.

We claim:,

1. in a mechanism for positioning objects on a mandrel, a plurality ofparallel elongated threaded members, radially spaced from each other, amandrel positioned between and parallel with said elongated threadedmembers, means for rotating said threaded members, a source of objects,a discharge opening for said source spaced from one end of said mandrel,

objects passing from said discharge opening to a position between saidthreaded members being carried by the threads along a path in alignmentwith the mandrel and parallel to said threaded members onto the mandrel.

2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that there arethree threaded members.

3. The structure of claim 2 further characterized in that the threads oneach of the threaded members are substantially identical.

4. The structure of claim 3 further characterized in that the lead ofthe threads on each of the threaded members is equal to twice the widthof an object.

5. The structure of claim 2 further characterized in that the mandrel issupported on one of said threaded members.

6. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said source ofobjects includes a chute positioned above the space between saidthreaded members.

7. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said objectsare cylindrical and identical with the lead of the threads on thethreaded members being equal to twice the width of a cylindrical member.

8. The structure of claim 7 further characterized in that the width ofthe threads at the root is equal to the width of a cylindrical object.

9. The mechanism of claim 1 further characterized in that each of saidthreaded members is driven in the same direction, at the same rate ofspeed, with each of said threaded members having substantially identicalthreads.

10. In a mechanism for moving cylindrical objects onto and off of acylindrical mandrel, a plurality of elongated threaded members havingidentical threads and radially spaced from each other, means forrotating said threaded members, a mandrel positioned between saidthreaded members and supported for rotation by one of said threadedmembers, rotation of said threaded members causing cylindrical objectsto be moved, by the threads, onto and off of said mandrel.

1. In a mechanism for positioning objects on a mandrel, a plurality ofparallel elongated threaded members, radially spaced from each other, amandrel positioned between and parallel with said elongated threadedmembers, means for rotating said threaded members, a source of objects,a discharge opening for said source spaced from one end of said mandrel,objects passing from said discharge opening to a position between saidthreaded members being carried by the threads along a path in alignmentwith the mandrel and parallel to said threaded members onto the mandrel.2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that there arethree threaded members.
 3. The structure of claim 2 furthercharacterized in that the threads on each of the threaded members aresubstantially identical.
 4. The structure of claim 3 furthercharacterized in that the lead of the threads on each of the threadedmembers is equal to twice the width of an object.
 5. The structure ofclaim 2 further characterized in that the mandrel is supported on one ofsaid threaded members.
 6. The structure of claim 1 further characterizedin that said source of objects includes a chute positioned above thespace between said threaded members.
 7. The structure of claim 1 furthercharacterized in that said objects are cylindrical and identical withthe lead of the threads on the threaded members being equal to twice thewidth of a cylindrical member.
 8. The structure of claim 7 furthercharacterized in that the width of the threads at the root is equal tothe width of a cylindrical object.
 9. The mechanism of claim 1 furthercharacterized in that each of said threaded members is driven in thesame direction, at the same rate of speed, with each of said threadedmembers having substantially identical threads.
 10. In a mechanism formoving cylindrical objects onto and off of a cylindrical mandrel, aplurality of elongated threaded members having identical threads andradially spaced from each other, means for rotating said threadedmembers, a mandrel positioned between said threaded members andsupported for rotation by one of said threaded members, rotation of saidthreaded members causing cylindrical objects to be moved, by thethreads, onto and off of said mandrel.